Abstract

PIP: More than 2 billion people in the world are infected with the hepatitis B virus, of whom 280 million are chronic carriers. This virus is responsible for up to 80% of primary hepatic cancer, which is one of three main causes of cancer deaths in east and southeast Asia as well as Africa. Mainly young people are at risk of getting infected and becoming chronic carriers. 70-90% of infants who are infected at birth will become chronic carriers. The virus is transmitted via body fluids, especially blood. It can be transmitted among children and from mother to child during the perinatal period. The vaccination program against hepatitis B is an important tool for preventing its spread. Vaccines contain the viral surface antigen (HBsAG) and are produced from plasma by recombinant DNA techniques. If it is administered properly, a 95% rate of immunization against hepatitis B is achieved. Over the years, more than 40 million doses have been administered. A complete regimen of three doses produces excellent seroconversion rates. The minimum time required between doses is 4 weeks, but a longer interval is preferable between the second and third doses. Since the probability of perinatal infection is low, the first dose may be administered from the sixth week in conjunction with the first dose of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine. The subsequent doses should coincide with the administration of other vaccines. The hepatitis B vaccine could be administered simultaneously with measles, DPT, poliomyelitis, and BCG vaccines. Complete immunization against hepatitis B costs $2.80 for three doses--an amount that could decline in the coming years.